SM and BDO Make Christmas For OFWs Extra Special

Diane Reyes had spent the last six years working in Japan as a teacher. This year she looks forward to finally spending Christmas with her family.

SM Supermalls has made Christmas for Reyes even more special with its Pamaskong Handog para sa Global Pinoys celebration last December 10.

Spearheaded by SM Supermalls, BDO, SM Global Pinoy and SM Store, the Pamaskong Handog Para sa Global Pinoy gave Overseas Filipino Workers like Reyes and their families a special day to celebrate the uniquely Filipino Christmas celebration in participating SM malls nationwide.

“The Pamaskong Handog Para sa Global Pinoy is really for our modern heroes and their families because it’s not every year that they get to experience Christmas here and so we want to them to experience the unique Filipino Christmas to make them homecoming memorable and truly heartwarming,” said Mr. Glenn D. Ang, Senior Vice President for Operations and Program Director of SM Global Pinoy.

Elle Fanning Sparkles as a Country Girl in "Live by Night"

Coming a long way from playing Sleeping Beauty in the smash hit Maleficent, Elle Fanning now stars opposite Ben Affleck in Warner Bros. Pictures’ gangster film Live by Night, as Loretta, the sweet and naïve daughter of the Tampa police chief.

It was the many facets of Loretta’s journey that would prove an exciting challenge for the young actress. “At first, Loretta has such sparkle, this girl with a twinkle inside her who is looking for adventure in life, she’s so excited to follow her dreams. Oddly, it’s when she loses that sparkle, loses that twinkle that she had, that she discovers her real purpose in this world,” Fanning reveals.

Jennylyn Mercado receives 'Ultimate' Christmas present

The multi-awarded artist achieved Gold Record status on her latest album 'Ultimate' under Ivory Music Records, awarded at 'Sunday Pinasaya' on December 18.

Branded as emotionally uplifting album, it has seven originally-composed songs in which the two are in collaboration with Christian Bautista (Suddenly) and Silent Sanctuary's main man, Sarkie Sarangay (Bulalakaw.) As a bonus, the music label added a timely holiday song entitled 'Nakaraang Pasko' that is exclusively available on digital stores.

It's carrier single 'Hagdan' portrays an inspiring mood that was recently launched under Ivory's online streaming page.

'Ultimate' is physically available on record bars nationwide, or downloadable on iTunes, Spotify, Deezer and Amazon digital stores worldwide.

Gyllenhaal, Ferguson, Reynolds Up Close in New "Life" Poster

“Be careful what you search for,” goes the ominous warning in the tagline of the newly unveiled poster artwork for Columbia Pictures' upcoming sci-fi horror-thriller, Life.

Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson, Olga Dihovichnaya, Ariyon Bakare, Hiroyuki Sanada and Ryan Reynolds, Life opens across the Philippines in 2017.

The film tells the story of the six-member crew of the International Space Station that is on the cutting edge of one of the most important discoveries in human history: the first evidence of extraterrestrial life on Mars. As the crew begins to conduct research and their methods end up having unintended consequences, the life form proves more intelligent than anyone ever expected.

Directed by Daniel Espinosa (Safe House), Life is written by Paul Wernick & Rhett Reese (Deadpool) and produced by David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Bonnie Curtis and Julie Lynn.

Life is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

Globe creates new holiday traditions for the most wonderful time of the year

Traditions are essential in every culture and create different experiences for everyone. For Filipinos, the Christmas season is one of the most celebrated traditions across the nation. As early as September, malls, establishments, and even homes are already decked out in holiday colors as families make plans for their usual Christmas activities. 

Whether it’s the annual Christmas Dinner, gift shopping, or traveling to wonderful destinations, the true meaning of the season is anchored on togetherness. Some may be miles apart but the love for each other brings everyone closer. 

Seniors Plan a Bank Heist in First "Going in Style" Trailer

New Line Cinema has just debuted the first trailer for its new heist comedy Going in Style starring Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Alan Arkin.

Catch the trailer at https://youtu.be/rep8OQZgePg and watch Going in Style when in opens in Philippine cinemas on April 06, 2017.

Oscar winners Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine and Alan Arkin team up as lifelong buddies Willie, Joe and Al, who decide to buck retirement and step off the straight-and-narrow for the first time in their lives when their pension fund becomes a corporate casualty, in director Zach Braff’s comedy Going in Style.

Desperate to pay the bills and come through for their loved ones, the three risk it all by embarking on a daring bid to knock off the very bank that absconded with their money.

Welcome relief for OFWs coming home for the Holidays

OFWs have long enjoyed travel tax exemption privileges under Section 2 of PD 1183, due to their significant contribution to our national economy. During the previous Holiday season though, and in Holiday Seasons past, those who wished to take advantage of their travel tax exemption had to obtain a certificate from the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), for which there was a fee. This Holiday Season will be the first in which OFWs will no longer need to pay for and obtain a separate Travel Tax Exemption Certificate.

When leaving the country for their country of employment after this year’s holiday season. OFWs can be exempted automatically from travel taxes in one of two ways: If they were hired through the POEA, the Overseas Employment Certificate issued by the POEA will serve as the Travel Tax Exemption Certificate. For those hired directly by companies abroad, a Certificate of Employment issued by the Philippine Embassy / Consulate in the place of work or an Employment Contract authenticated by the Philippine Embassy / Consulate.

Sherlock’s Sidekick Reimagined

Elementary’s Dr. Watson is a master class of grace, wit, and power

Lucy Liu on both television and film is no stranger to strong female personas. From private investigator Alex Nuncy in Charlie’s Angels to Yakuza boss O-Ren Ishii in Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, the Asian-American star showed that she has the versatility to take on a wide range of unforgettable roles.

Over the years, the award-winning actress-director moved further and further away from stereotypes often linked to actresses of Asian descent. Of all the roles she played, no departure is as striking as her character in the procedural drama Elementary, a modern reimagining of the world’s most famous fictional detective—Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes.

Industry professionals learn best practices in construction in first-ever Bosch User Conference

Above: (From left) Dremel ambassadors 

Dennis Mendoza, Kenny Ansis, and Sonny Limjap 

(2nd from right), and Bosch ambassadors 

Paco Pili and Ricky Ongkeko

Leading power tool brand Bosch recently concluded the Bosch User Conference at MC Home Depot in Bonifacio Global City. Industry professionals, traders, dealers and users were gathered to see the latest from Bosch’s vast portfolio of portable handyman solutions and accessories from Bosch Professional, Bosch Cordless Tools, Bosch Measuring Tools and Dremel Rotary Tools. Held for the first time, the Bosch User Conference aims to build strong connection and support to its consumers through an educational platform that will help them maximize the capabilities of innovative power tools.

Bosch ambassadors and end-users Sonny Limjap, Paco Pili, Kenny Ansis, Dennis Mendoza and Ricky Ongkeko led interactive demonstrations and hands-on activities on woodworking, upcycling, DIY, and construction with the use of Bosch and Dremel rotary tools and measuring tools.

Michael Sheen, an Android Bartender in "Passengers"

He is known to millions as a vampire in the Twilight saga films and a werewolf in the Underworld franchise. Now, Michael Sheen now stars as Arthur, the android bartender on board the intergalactic spaceship in Columbia Pictures' exciting new action-thrlller Passengers.

In the film, Aurora (Jennifer Lawrence) and Jim (Christ Pratt) are two strangers who are on a 120-year journey to another planet when their hibernation pods wake them 90 years too early. Jim and Aurora are forced to unravel the mystery behind the malfunction as the ship teeters on the brink of collapse, jeopardizing the lives of the passengers on the greatest mass migration in human history.